Addiction and Substance Abuse

Help Me to Recover!!!

07/16/2010

Question:

im trying to recover from long term cocaine, herion, benzo, pot. iv taking helpful advice you guy b4. o.k. I pray to got to retore me to sanity,i eat heslthy workout alot but i get these racing thoughts ... some are of past event in wich no relavence of today or task at hand? some are projecting to furture events that might not even happrn.... and of course at night \. I mean im getting better/ just them thoughts?/? also if i return to (normal) r there programs to help with funding to go back to school to learn about substance abuse? i would love to teach young kids about the effects of long term use! please keep this private....

Answer:

You asked about "racing thoughts"--this may be due to several things, not the least of which is ongoing drug use. So, in early recovery, this may be just a part of the process. Using drugs and withdrawing from drugs could cause "racing thoughts."

However, if you become sober for more than 4 to 6 weeks and are still having racing thoughts, then the cause could be an underlying mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder. If the racing thoughts continue to bother you after you have been sober for a while, it may be time to consult with a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

As to your second question regarding going back to school to learn about substance abuse and teach others about it, that would vary from state to state. Here in Ohio there is a statewide organization known as the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, which helps to train and license individuals who want to become drug and alcohol counselors. They may be able to answer your questions re: funding and returning to school. The Phone Number is (614) 387-1110 and website is http://ocdp.ohio.gov/.

Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More)